Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted yesterday at 05:03 AM Journalists Share Posted yesterday at 05:03 AM Winning jockey Adam Nicholls and trainer Gary Clarke are all smiles after Prince Ruban claimed the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Final (1200m) during the Darwin Turf Club’s meeting at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) Leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke claimed yet another feature race at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Prince Ruban, a seven-year-old gelding, won the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Final (1200m) with Adam Nicholls in the saddle from stablemate He’s Essential – the $2.90 favourite with online bookmakers – ridden by Jarrod Todd. It was Clarke’s second win in the 0-70 Final after Blue Odyssey beat home stablemate Mr Cashman in the inaugural Australia Day feature for mid-range sprinters in 2022. Starting at $6.50, Prince Ruban was among a host battling for the early lead before settling on the fence in seventh place and once leaving the back straight he was fourth. Turning for home at the 350m mark, Prince Ruban left the fence and set after Phil Cole’s front-running Exceedingly Magic as He’s Essential, who was third as from the 800m, started to flex some muscle. In the end, Prince Ruban prevailed by a length with Cole’s $8 chance Bryce, last at the final bend in the 10-horse field, motoring home for Wayne Davis to finish a further length away in third place. Prince Ruban debuted in Darwin in June 2021 prior to Cup Carnival and arrived back in the Top End for his fourth campaign in November. The son of Prince Of Dubai, who qualified for the Wet Season Final with victory in Heat 4 over 1300m in 0-64 grade in December, has had nine wins and 10 minor placings from 30 Fannie Bay starts. He appeared on Katherine Cup Day in August 2021 where he finished second. The Victorian galloper has had 16 other starts for the Tom Dabernig, David Hayes and Ben Hayes stable, as well as for trainer Shane Bottomley, who owns the horse, with all of his wins occurring in Darwin. Although the top weight with 59kg on Saturday, Prince Ruban boasted good form with a win, a second and two thirds at the end of 2024. Meanwhile, Cole and fellow trainer Tayarn Halter ended the Australia Day meeting with doubles. Queensland jockey Wanderson D’Avila and Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc guided $6.50 prospect Whitten and $11 fancy Rebellious Hope home over 1200m in 0-58 grade and 1600m in the Class 2 ranks for Cole. Sonja Logan and Raymond Vigar delivered for Halter aboard $6.50 chance Funnyifitwon in a $30,000 heat of the Summer Sprint Series (1300m) and $9 aspirant Cherry Stem, who won her first race in a special conditions affair over 1200m. Victory made it 499 career wins for Logan, who would finish second in three other races. Chris Pollard’s $3.80 candidate Hey Little Sister finally saluted in Darwin at the ninth attempt thanks to pilot Stan Tsaikos with victory over 1000m against 0-64 opposition. Horse racing news View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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